189: 189. National strategic perspective

Inside the conference room, you could hear a pin drop.

Those few concise lines of data, as if magical, firmly captivated everyone's attention.

After a brief, dead silence, an uncontrollable surge of euphoria and urgency rapidly exploded in everyone's hearts!

"One thousand kilometers of range! Four hundred kilometers in ten minutes! Never spontaneously combusts!" A white-haired old expert suddenly stood up, his voice trembling with excitement: "This... this is not a simple technological breakthrough; this is a strategic-level achievement! It's a trump card that can completely change our country's international standing in the new energy sector!"

"Yes, with this technology, all Western blockades are a joke. Let's see who blocks whom!"

The leading official could no longer maintain his composure. He slammed his hand on the table, "Immediately! Right now! Section Chief Li, your investigation team must depart at once! No, we can't wait a week! Book the soonest flight now—no, arrange a special plane! We must contact Tingfeng Energy with the utmost speed to express our importance and support!"

The entire conference room instantly became busy, with phone calls and commands rising and falling.

However, just as the order was about to be issued, the leading official suddenly raised a hand and called out, "Wait a moment!"

Everyone paused, looking at him in confusion.

The official frowned, paced quickly around the room twice, then stopped abruptly. His gaze swept over everyone present, and he said in a deep voice, "No! We underestimated the strategic significance and urgency of this matter! A section-level investigation team is too low a specification! This is not enough to reflect the nation's determination and sincerity!"

He pondered for a moment, his eyes becoming incredibly sharp, and he declared decisively, "Report it immediately! Request an upgrade to thedocking level (level of engagement)! I will personally coordinate and invite Vice Minister Lu Chenxing, who oversees high-tech industries, to personally lead the charge. Let's establish a 'National-Level New Energy Strategic Cooperation Negotiation Working Group'!

"The working group members will consist of relevant department heads and top technical experts! The working group will take a special plane and immediately head to Jiangcheng!"

As soon as the order was given, the entire room was stunned!

For a powerful Vice Minister to personally lead such a high-level working group, specifically traveling to a local area for a private enterprise, was extremely rare in the past!

But this precisely showed that Tingfeng Energy's technology had already been elevated to the height of national strategy!

...A few hours later, a special plane with unique markings took off from the Imperial Capital Airport, flying directly to Jiangcheng.

Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was serious and solemn.

Vice Minister Lu Chenxing, around fifty years old, had a calm and capable demeanor, his eyes revealing the confidence and prudence of someone long accustomed to a high position.

He carefully read through the preliminary investigation report on Tingfeng Energy and its behind-the-scenes controller, his brows occasionally relaxing and then furrowing slightly.

When his gaze fell on the name "Lu Feng" and the accompanying identity information, this well-informed Vice Minister's face for the first time showed undisguised astonishment and disbelief.

"A university student? This... this..."

Lu Chenxing looked up at the official responsible for intelligence aggregation opposite him, his tone full of doubt: "Are you sure there's no mistake? Tingfeng Capital, Tingfeng Energy, Tingfeng Media, Tingfeng Mining... and this solid-state battery technology that is enough to influence the nation's destiny... the true controller is a... university student who just turned eighteen not long ago?"

He genuinely couldn't connect heavy terms like "disruptive technology," "hundred-billion-level market," and "national strategy" with a freshman who should be studying basic courses in a classroom.

This was far more bizarre than any possibility he had anticipated.

Even novels wouldn't dare to write something like this, would they?!

The reporting official also gave a wry smile and nodded affirmingly: "Vice Minister Lu, we have repeatedly verified. Yu Tianxiong is openly the CEO, but all major decisions directly originate from Lu Feng's directives. His identity... he is indeed an ordinary freshman at Jiangcheng University."

Lu Chenxing leaned back in his chair, took a deep breath, and unconsciously tapped his fingers on the armrest.

His self-confidence wavered for the first time, replaced by an extremely complex mix of emotions.

Shock, doubt, and a hint of indescribable curiosity.

How could a university student control such a vast amount of capital?

What kind of secret was hidden behind all this?

"It seems this trip to Jiangcheng will be even... more interesting than we imagined."

Lu Chenxing looked out at the surging sea of clouds outside the porthole, his eyes deepening.

He had a premonition that what he was about to face was definitely not an ordinary businessman, and perhaps not even someone who could be measured by common sense.

He was very much looking forward to it... Top floor of Jiangcheng CBD Building, Cloud Top Revolving Restaurant.

It was noon, and soft sunlight streamed in through the enormous circular floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the entire space, making it bright and luxurious.

Lu Feng led his parents into the restaurant and sat at a window seat. From this height, they could take in the entire prosperity of Jiangcheng.

With soothing piano music in the background and luxurious decor all around, Lu Zezhou and Lu Xiaoli felt a little awkward.

"Dad, Mom, try this. The signature black pepper beef cubes here are cooked just right."

Lu Feng smiled as he served his parents. He had specifically chosen this place, both to let his parents experience the modern face of Jiangcheng and to subtly reassure them through this expansive view that they didn't need to worry about the future.

Lu Zezhou and Lu Xiaoli were initially a bit reserved. Looking at the astonishing prices on the menu, they didn't know where to put their hands.

But influenced by their son's calm demeanor, they gradually relaxed, and smiles of enjoyment appeared on their faces.

"Xiao Feng, this place is really nice, but it's too extravagant," Lu Xiaoli whispered, her eyes, however, couldn't help but keep looking out the window.

"Mom, you've worked hard for most of your lives; it's right to enjoy yourselves occasionally," Lu Feng said gently, then poured his father a cup of chrysanthemum tea, which was refreshing and helped with greasiness: "Dad, you've just recovered, so it's better to eat lightly."

Lu Zezhou laughed, "Son, even if you have money, don't spend it like this. You still need to save some... for the future... ahem, for marrying a wife."

Lu Feng chuckled, "Dad, I just turned adult. Don't you think it's a bit early to talk about that?"

Lu Zezhou waved his hand, "It would indeed be a bit early normally, but your current situation has somewhat exceeded... our imagination..."

Lu Xiaoli nodded in agreement. Just as she was about to ask something, a suppressed gasp and the jarring sound of chairs scraping the floor suddenly came from another side of the restaurant, near the area with the best view!

"Ah ah ah ah?!"

"There's a foreigner convulsing here! Quick! Someone! Call a doctor, fast!"

"Waiter! We need help here!"

Instantly, the tranquility of that area was shattered.

A foreign middle-aged man, dressed in casual clothes with his hair meticulously combed, was painfully curled up on the floor.

His face was an abnormal purplish-blue, one hand tightly clutching the fabric over his chest, the other weakly trying to grasp something, and his throat emitted difficult, gasping, gurgling sounds...